Sukta 147
Sukta 1.147
This short Agni hymn asks how worshippers, purified and energetic, properly offer into the fire so that the gods’ chant of ṛta (cosmic order) resounds. It recalls Agni’s protection of the “Māmateya” helpers amid blinding darkness and prays for safeguarding from evil, hostile intent, and deceitful double-dealing among mortals. Overall, it is a protective and order-establishing invocation, aligning sacrifice, family continuity, and right conduct with Agni’s guardianship.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
कथा ते अग्ने शुचयन्त आयोर्ददाशुर्वाजेभिराशुषाणाः । उभे यत्तोके तनये दधाना ऋतस्य सामन्रणयन्त देवाः ॥
अग्निजी, लोग कैसे तुम्हे साफ होके देना चाहते हैं? अपनी पूरी ताकत के साथ आगे बढ़ते हैं। जब बच्चे और वंश दोनों को स्थिरता देते हैं, तब देवता लोग धरम का गाना गाते हैं।
Mantra 2
बोधा मे अस्य वचसो यविष्ठ मंहिष्ठस्य प्रभृतस्य स्वधावः । पीयति त्वो अनु त्वो गृणाति वन्दारुस्ते तन्वं वन्दे अग्ने ॥
अग्निजी, मेरे बात को सुनो। तुम सबसे छोटे हो, अपनी खुद की शक्ति वाले हो, बड़े भंडार से आए हो। जो लोग तुम्हारी पूजा करते हैं, वो तुम्हे अंदर लेते हैं, तुम्हारा साथ देते हैं, तुम्हारे बारे में गाते हैं। मैं तुम्हारे शरीर को नमन करता हूँ।
Mantra 3
ये पायवो मामतेयं ते अग्ने पश्यन्तो अन्धं दुरितादरक्षन् । ररक्ष तान्त्सुकृतो विश्ववेदा दिप्सन्त इद्रिपवो नाह देभुः ॥
अग्निजी, तुम्हारे वो रक्षक जो तुम्हारी शरण में हैं, उन्होंने अंधेरा देख के बुराई से बचाया। तुम उनकी रक्षा करो, क्योंकि वो अच्छा काम करते हैं और सब जानते हैं। दुश्मन चाहे कितना भी बुरा चाहें, वो कुछ नहीं बिगाड़ पाते।
Mantra 4
यो नो अग्ने अररिवाँ अघायुररातीवा मर्चयति द्वयेन । मन्त्रो गुरुः पुनरस्तु सो अस्मा अनु मृक्षीष्ट तन्वं दुरुक्तैः ॥
अग्नि, अगर कोई हमारे बीच दुश्मनी रखता है और बुरा इरादा से काम करता है। वो लोगों को दोनों तरह से तकलीफ देता है, अपने काम से और अपनी बात से। उसकी बुरी हरकत उसपे ही वापस आए। और तू हमारे शरीर को साफ कर दे बुरी बातों के दाग से।
Mantra 5
उत वा यः सहस्य प्रविद्वान्मर्तो मर्तं मर्चयति द्वयेन । अतः पाहि स्तवमान स्तुवन्तमग्ने माकिर्नो दुरिताय धायीः ॥
और फिर भी अगर कोई ऐसा है जो खुद को समझदार और ताकतवर समझता है। वो इंसान दूसरे इंसान को दोनों तरह से तकलीफ देता है। अग्नि, तू हमारी रक्षा कर जब हम तेरे लिए बोलते हैं और तेरी तारीफ करते हैं। कोई हमें बुरी राह पर न डाले।
Inside Sukta 147
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens by questioning the right manner of offering—purified worshippers advancing with strength—so that the gods cause the chant of ṛta to resound.
- Development
It moves from correct sacrificial energy to Agni’s role as guardian, recalling protection amid ‘blind darkness’ and asking that the doers of good be kept safe.
- Climax
The protective petition intensifies: even when enemies desire harm, may they not succeed—Agni as viśvavedā is asked to shield the righteous.
- Where it settles
It ends with a practical closing prayer: guard us from the mortal who attacks by ‘double means’ and let none set us on the track of misfortune (durita).
The deity: Agni
- In the VedaHe is invoked as all-knowing (viśvavedā), a protector, and the one who makes the sacred chant and order resonate.
- Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine realms; transformer of offerings into divine nourishment; establisher of ṛta through correct ritual and luminous discernment.
- Inner significanceThe inner fire of awareness that purifies intention, guards the mind from darkness and error, and converts aspiration into clear, ordered action.
The seer
- Dīrghatamas Āucathya (attributed in the Anukramaṇī tradition)Āucathya; associated with the Aṅgiras/Bhṛgu-related seer milieu in later Vedic indexing · Renowned as a visionary poet-philosopher whose hymns probe ṛta, speech, and hidden meanings; later tradition remembers him for profound, enigmatic imagery.
Famous verses
ṛtasya sāman (the chant of ṛta)
viśvavedā (all-knowing)
mākir no duritāya dhāyīḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Purifier (śuci)
- Priest and messenger (hotṛ/dūta)
- Protector and guardian
- All-knowing (viśvavedā)
- Upholder of ṛta
- Bringer of strength and plenty (vāja)
Also by this seer
- Rig Veda Mandala 1, several hymns attributed to Dīrghatamas in the Anukramaṇī lists (notably the riddle-style hymns such as 1.164 in later attributions)
- Associated in later Vedic tradition with teachings on ṛta and symbolic interpretation of ritual speech
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar/fireplace; kindle and steady the sacred fire with clean fuel.
- Purify the performers (washing, mental composure) and arrange offerings.
- Invoke Agni with recitation of the hymn, emphasizing purification and ṛta.
- Make oblations into Agni while praying for protection from darkness, evil, and hostile designs.
- Conclude with a sealing prayer for continued safeguarding of the household, offspring, and right path.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya)
- Milk or milk-products (as customary in Agnihotra contexts)
- Grain/cakes (puroḍāśa) or simple food offerings
- Dry wood/fuel (samidh)
Frequently Asked Questions
It teaches that purified, sincere offering to Agni strengthens ṛta (right order) and asks Agni to protect the household from darkness, harm, and misfortune.
It symbolizes danger, confusion, and evil influences; the hymn remembers Agni as the light that sees through and guards devotees from such threats.
It can be recited when lighting a lamp or performing a fire offering, as a prayer for inner purification, clear judgment, and protection from negative forces and deceit.
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